Today I was starting on a new piece then I realized I couldn't use it because the stencils weren't released yet! (ahem...Monday...ahem) So I started doing a journal spread for todays post and it was turning out cute but I was losing the feel of it and ended up throwing gesso over the whole shebang of it! Yup, one of those days. When I went for my gesso I had to pick up and move my Artistcellar bag and I decided on something new to do!

I received this canvas bag from Lisa when I worked with her at Art Unraveled last August and I love it because it is true - Art is not an Option, and I have used it on many occasions. But though I love the sentiment on it I felt it was living a lie, because I had not arted it up! So today with the help of my Generals Scribe-all, my Dye-na-flow colors, Inka-Gold and the Steampunk Lace stencil from the Steampunk series I made the bag my own!

To start I placed a piece of cardboard inside the bag to protect from the color flowing to the other side. I used my Generals Scribe-all to sketch the design onto the back of the bag then I painted it with the Dye-na-flow. To achieve the watercolor affect, I use water to first wet the fabric, then applied the color.

To stencil using the Dye-na-flow I used a soft bristle blunt edge brush to pretty much scrub the color down. I then went in with the inka-Gold in Jade (or any color that matches) to add some shine to some of the gears.

Today's guest blogger is artist Martice Smith II. Martice is an illustrator, designer and instructor who likes to mix traditional with digital media, vibrant colors, textures, and urban culture. You can see more of her work on her blog http://uneekart.blogspot.com/

Hello! Martice here, sharing a fun tutorial on how to design and make your very own designer tote bag with a couple of Artistcellar’s most popular 12” x 12” stencils.

Now, I have to ask you: are you an artist who hauls art supplies and artwork around in those hideously designed plastic grocery bags? (Yes, I’m guilty, too!) Well today, you and I are gonna put a STOP to those shenanigans and flaunt our creations with style. Your beautifully designed tote bag will, not only be a great conversation starter, it will also inspire you to speak about your art with confidence ...what’s better than that?!

Let’s get started!

STEP 1: Paint the fabric

I'm painting fabric that I picked up at a local thrift store. I've been holding onto it for almost a year and I finally came up with an idea of what to make out of it.

Since I'm always in need of storage, (especially during travel workshops and outdoor painting adventures) I knew that I had to create something to accommodate those needs. It sure beats carrying around a grocery bag!Notice that my fabric is, overall, a dark color with patterns. (Most of the original pattern will be painted over.) I started with an off-white as my base color because I want the next layers of colors to look as bright as possible.

Try dry brushing your next layer of color.

Apply your next color(s) with a dry brush. Notice that some of the color in previous layer shows through. This adds visual texture and dimension!